Apparatus for applying a liquid coating onto an object

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying a liquid coating onto an object. The apparatus includes a device that has a handle and a transfer medium which is attached to the handle. The apparatus further includes a cover that is attached to the device. The cover includes a closure element that is operable to open and close an end of the cover. When the end of the cover is open, the cover is movable between a first position where the cover protects the transfer medium and a second position where the cover protects the handle. In another example embodiment, the cover is formed of a removable first layer that is positioned adjacent to the transfer medium when the cover is in the first position and a removable second layer that is positioned adjacent to the handle when the cover is in the second position.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation under 37 C.F.R. 1.53(b) of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/837,033 filed Apr. 30, 2004, whichapplication is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.

FIELD

Some embodiments of this invention relate to an apparatus for applying aliquid coating onto an object, and in particular to such an apparatusthat includes a device having a transfer medium which can be preservedbetween uses of the apparatus.

BACKGROUND

There are several devices that are typically used to apply a liquidcoating onto an object. As examples, brushes, rollers, mops and pads areoften used to apply a paint, stain, waxes, cleaning materials and/orcooking materials (among other materials) onto surfaces of an object.

These devices may be relatively costly, since it may be desirable to tryto preserve the devices for reuse at a later time. In order to preservea device that is used to apply a liquid coating, virtually all of theliquid (e.g., paint) needs to be removed from the device before it canbe set aside. The extensive cleaning that is typically required toremove all of the liquid from such a device is often tedious, dirty andtime-consuming.

Depending on the type of liquid that is applied onto an object, asolvent is often required to clean a device. Many solvents are harmfulto the skin and/or emit vapors that may have varying degree of toxicity.These solvents are also typically costly to purchase and difficult todispose of after use.

One method of preserving a device that is used to apply a liquid coatingonto an object is to store the device in a container of the liquid, oranother type of solvent, where the device remains until the next timethe device is used. However, if the interval between uses is relativelylong, some of the liquid or solvent may evaporate, or harden, causingthe device to be irreparably damaged.

There is a need for an apparatus for applying a liquid coating to anobject where the apparatus can be used to apply liquid onto an object atmore than one time. The apparatus should also be able to provide asomewhat environmentally amenable method to dispose of the apparatus. Itwould also be desirable if the apparatus were able to provide protectionto an individual's hand as the individual uses the apparatus to applyliquid to an object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying a liquidcoating onto an object. The apparatus includes a device that has atransfer medium which is protected by a cover between uses so that theapparatus may be used more than once without having to clean thetransfer medium.

In one example embodiment, the apparatus includes a device that has ahandle and a transfer medium which is attached to the handle. Theapparatus further includes a cover that is attached to the device. Thecover includes a closure element that is operable to open and close anend of the cover. When the end of the cover is open, the cover ismovable between a first position where the cover protects the transfermedium and a second position where the cover protects the handle. Thecover may provide an air tight environment in which to store thetransfer medium on the device when the closure element closes the end ofthe cover. Storing the transfer medium in an air tight environment mayallow the device to be used on more than occasion to apply a liquidcoating to an object without having to clean the device. In addition,providing an air tight environment inhibits the spread of odors from thetransfer medium.

In another example embodiment, the apparatus includes a device that hasa handle and a transfer medium which is attached to the handle. Theapparatus further includes a cover that is attached to the device. Thecover includes an open end such that the cover is movable between afirst position where the cover protects the transfer medium and a secondposition where the cover protects the handle. The cover is formed of afirst layer that is positioned adjacent to the transfer medium when thecover is in the first position and a second layer that is positionedadjacent to the handle when the cover is in the second position. Thefirst layer is removable such that the second layer is adjacent to thetransfer medium when the cover is in the first position and the firstlayer is removed. When the cover is in the second position, the covermay protect a hand of an operator that uses the apparatus to apply aliquid coating onto an object. In addition, the first layer of the covermay be removed from the device when the first layer becomes messy makingit easier to keep the device cleaner between uses.

In still another example embodiment, the apparatus includes a devicethat has a handle and a transfer medium which is attached to the handle.The apparatus further includes a cover that is attached to the device.The cover includes a closure element that is operable to open and closean end of the cover. When the end of the cover is open, the cover ismovable between a first position where the cover protects the transfermedium and a second position where the cover protects the handle. Thecover is formed of a first layer that is positioned adjacent to thetransfer medium when the cover is in the first position and a secondlayer that is positioned adjacent to the handle when the cover is in thesecond position. The first layer is removable such that the second layeris adjacent to the transfer medium when the cover is in the firstposition and the first layer is removed. The transfer medium may bestored in an air tight environment within the cover when the closureelement closes the end of the cover. Storing the transfer medium in anair tight environment when it is laden with liquid provides a moreenvironmentally amenable condition in which to dispose of the apparatus.In addition, the cover maintains the transfer medium in a sanitaryenvironment that keeps the transfer medium from becoming contaminatedwith other materials.

The purposes and features of the present invention will be set forth inthe description that follows. Additional features of the invention willbe realized and attained by the product and processes particularlypointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well asfrom the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood, and furtherfeatures will become apparent, when reference is made to the followingdetailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings aremerely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of theclaims. Like parts depicted in the drawings are referred to by the samereference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example apparatus for applying aliquid coating onto an object with an end of a cover on the apparatusclosed and the cover in a first position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with theend of the cover on the apparatus open and the cover in the firstposition.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 with theend of the cover on the apparatus open and the cover in a secondposition.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another example apparatus for applying aliquid coating onto an object with a cover on the apparatus in a firstposition.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 with thecover on the apparatus in a second position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 with thecover on the apparatus back in the first position and a first layer ofthe cover removed.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another example apparatus for applying aliquid coating onto an object with an end of a cover on the apparatusclosed and the cover in a first position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7 with theend of the cover on the apparatus open and the cover in the firstposition.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 8 with thecover on the apparatus in a second position.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 9 with thecover on the apparatus back in the first position and a first layer ofthe cover removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which show specific embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. These embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice theinvention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilizedand structural changes made, such that the following detaileddescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an apparatus 10 for applying a liquid coating ontoan object. The apparatus 10 includes a device 12 that has a handle 14and a transfer medium 16 which is attached to the handle 14. Theapparatus 10 further includes a cover 18 that is attached to the device12.

The cover 18 includes a closure element 20 that is operable to close(FIG. 1) and open (FIG. 2) an end 24 of the cover 18. When the end 24 ofthe cover 18 is open, the cover 18 is movable between a first position(FIG. 2) where the cover 18 protects the transfer medium 16 and a secondposition (FIG. 3) where the cover 18 protects the handle 14.

When an operator uses the apparatus 10 to apply a liquid coating onto anobject, the operator initially moves the closure element 20 to open theend 24 of the cover 18. The operator then moves the cover 18 to thesecond position where the cover 18 provides protection to the operator'shand as the operator applies liquid to the object with the apparatus 10.In some forms, the cover 18 extends past an end 26 of the handle 14 whenthe cover 18 is in the second position such that the cover 48 may alsoprotect the operator's wrist and arm depending on how far the cover 18extends past the end 26 of the handle 14. Once the operator finishesworking, the operator moves the cover 18 back to the first position. Theoperator then moves the closure element 20 to close the end 24 of thecover 18 such that the cover 18 again protects the transfer medium 16.

In the illustrated example embodiment, the device 12 is a paint brushsuch that the transfer medium 16 is bristles. It should be noted thatmany other devices are contemplated for the device 12. Some otherexample devices that may be used to apply a liquid to an object includerollers, pads, mops, sponges and swabs (among others).

As used herein, transfer medium 16 may includes bristles, sponges, wovenor non-woven fabrics, cellulose-based materials, polymers, rubbers,fibrous materials, or any other absorbent media. It should be noted thatthe transfer medium 16 may include any material that can apply a liquidcoating onto an object.

The handle 14 may be any made from any material that adequately supportsthe device 12. Some example materials for the handle 14 include wood andplastic (among others). The proper size, shape and material of thehandle 14 will depend on the type of device 12 that is included in theapparatus 10 as well as the application where the apparatus 10 is used.It should be noted that the handle 14 may be formed from a combinationof two or more materials and/or a combination of one or more pieces.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the closure element 20 as a zipper lock, althoughother items may be used to seal the end 24 of the cover 18. Some exampleclosure elements include a drawstring, elastic band, adhesives, tapes,clamps, buttons, wire ties, magnetic elements and mechanical fasteners(e.g., hook and loop) among other closure elements. In some embodiments,the closure element 20 may be a resilient elastic band that closes whenthe cover 18 is in the first position and clamps the hand, wrist or armof an operator that is using the apparatus 10 when the cover 18 is inthe second position. It should be noted that the closure element 20 maynot necessarily provide an air tight environment.

The closure element 20 may also place the apparatus 10 in a somewhatmore environmentally amenable condition for disposal when the operatorwants to discard the apparatus 10. In some forms, the cover 18 mayprovide an air-tight seal when the closure element 20 closes the end 24of cover 18. Therefore, the cover 18 may be able to enclose the transfermedium 16 and any liquid contained on the transfer medium 16.

It should be noted the cover 18 may be any made from any material thatprovides protection to the transfer medium 16. Some example materialsfor the cover 18 include nonwoven laminates, plastic films (breathableand non-breathable), coated or impregnated papers (among others). Theproper size, shape and material of the cover 18 will depend on the typeof device 12 that is included in the apparatus 10 as well as theapplication where the apparatus 10 is used. It should be noted that thecover 18 may be formed from a combination of two or more materials.

In the illustrated example embodiment, the cover 18 is attached to thedevice 12 between the handle 14 and the transfer medium 16, although itshould be noted that the cover 18 may be attached to any part of thedevice 12. In addition, the cover 18 may be attached to the device 12using an adhesive (or some other fastener). As examples, the cover 18may be pressed between the handle 14 and the transfer medium 16, oradhered to a surface of the handle 14 using an adhesive tape. The scopeof the invention is not limited to how the cover 18 is attached thedevice 12.

In some embodiments, the cover 18 may be transparent so that thecondition of the transfer medium 16 may be observed by an operator whenthe transfer medium 16 is stored within the cover 18. A transparentcover 18 may allow the operator to inspect the transfer medium 16 beforeattempting to reuse the device 12, and if the condition of the transfermedium 16 appears unsatisfactory, the operator may decide to dispose ofthe apparatus 10.

In other embodiments, the cover 18 may be opaque so that condition ofthe transfer medium 16 may be hidden from view when the transfer medium16 is stored within the cover 18. As an example, a mop head may behidden from view within the cover 18 in between uses to prevent anyonefrom looking at such a filthy object.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate an apparatus 40 for applying a liquid coating ontoan object. The apparatus 40 includes a device 42 that has a handle 44and a transfer medium 46 which is attached to the handle 44. Theapparatus 40 further includes a cover 48 that is attached to the device52. The device 42 may be similar to any of the devices 12 describedabove with regard to FIGS. 1-3.

The cover 48 includes an open end 54 such that the cover 48 is movablebetween a first position (FIG. 4) where the cover 48 protects thetransfer medium 46 and a second position (FIG. 5) where the cover 48protects the handle 44. The cover 48 is formed of a first layer 58 thatis positioned adjacent to the transfer medium 46 when the cover 48 is inthe first position and a second layer 60 that is positioned adjacent tothe handle 44 when the cover 48 is in the second position. As shown inFIG. 6, the first layer 58 is removable such that the second layer 60 ispositioned adjacent to the transfer medium 46 when the cover 48 is inthe first position and the first layer 58 is removed from the device 42.

When an operator uses the apparatus 40 to apply a liquid coating onto anobject, the operator moves the cover 48 to the second position such thatthe cover 48 protects an operator's hand as the operator applies liquidto the object with the apparatus 40. Once the operator finishes working,the operator moves the cover 48 back to the first position such that thecover 48 protects the transfer medium 46.

When the operator needs to reuse the apparatus 50, the operator movesthe cover 48 back to the second position and removes the messy firstlayer 58 from the device 42 such that the cover 48 again providesprotection to the operator's hand as liquid is applied to the object.Once the operator finishes working again, the operator moves the cover48 back to the first position such that second layer 60 is adjacent tothe transfer medium 46 and the cover 48 protects the transfer medium 46.

The first and second layers 58, 60 of the cover 48 may be any made fromany material that provides protection to the transfer medium. The firstlayer 58 may be formed of the same material as the second layer 60 or adifferent material. In addition, the first and second layers 58, 60 ofthe cover 48 may be transparent to observe the condition of the transfermedium 46 when the transfer medium 46 is protected by the cover 48.

It should be noted that the first and second layers 58, 60 of the cover48 may be attached to the device 42 via any method previously describedherein. In some embodiments, the first layer 58 and/or the second layer60 of the cover 48 may include a perforated section that facilitatesremoving the first layer 58 and/or the second layer 60 from the device42.

In some embodiments, the cover 48 may include multiple layers such thatindividual layers may be removed from the device in order to keep thedevice relatively clean between uses. Some the layers may includeperforated sections that facilitate the removing the layers from thedevice.

FIGS. 7-10 show an example apparatus 70 for applying a liquid coatingonto an object. The apparatus 70 includes a device 72 that has a handle74 and a transfer medium 76 which is attached to the handle 74. Thedevice 72 may be similar to any of the other devices already describedherein. The apparatus 70 further includes a cover 78 that is attached tothe device 72 in a manner that is similar to the other embodimentsalready described herein.

The cover 78 includes a closure element 80 that is operable to close(FIG. 7) and open (FIG. 8) an end 84 of the cover 78. The closureelement 80 may be similar to any of the closure elements previouslydescribed herein. When the end 84 of the cover 78 is open, the cover 78is movable between a first position (FIG. 8) where the cover 78 protectsthe transfer medium 76 and a second position (FIG. 9) where the cover 78protects the handle 74.

In some embodiments, the cover 78 may be formed of a first layer 88 thatis positioned adjacent to the transfer medium 76 when the cover 78 is inthe first position (FIG. 8) and a second layer 90 that is positionedadjacent to the handle 74 when the cover 78 is in the second position(FIG. 9). In the illustrated example embodiment, the closure element 80is part of the second layer 90. As shown in FIG. 10, the first layer 88may be removed from the device 72 such that the second layer 90 isadjacent to the transfer medium 76 when the cover 78 is moved back inthe first position.

When an operator uses the apparatus 70 to apply a liquid coating ontothe object, the closure element 80 is moved to open the end 84 of thecover 78. The operator then moves the cover 78 to the second position sothat the operator can apply a liquid coating onto the object using thetransfer medium 76. As the operator applies the liquid coating to theobject, the cover 78 protects the operator's hand.

If the operator decides to store the device 72 for disposal or laterreuse, the operator moves the cover 78 back to the first position. Theoperator then moves the closure element 80 to close the end 84 of thecover 78 and thereby protect the transfer medium 76.

When the operator decides to reuse the apparatus 70, the operator movesthe closure element 80 to open the end 84 of the cover 78. The operatorthen moves the cover 78 back to the second position and removes themessy first layer 88 such that the cover 78 again protects theoperator's hand as the operator applies the liquid coating onto theobject.

Once the operator finishes working the second time, the operator movesthe cover 78 back to the first position such that second layer 90 isadjacent to the transfer medium 76. The operator then moves the closureelement 80 to close the end 84 of the cover 78 thereby again protectingthe transfer medium 76.

The operations discussed above may be performed in a different orderfrom those described herein. In addition, FIGS. 1-9 are representationaland are not necessarily drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof maybe exaggerated, while others may be minimized.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to thespecific aspects thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled inthe art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readilyconceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to theseaspects which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention,which should be assessed accordingly to that of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus for applying a liquid coating onto an object, theapparatus comprising: a device that includes a handle and a transfermedium attached to the handle; and a cover attached to the device, thecover including an elastic band that is operable to open and close anend of the cover, the cover sealing the transfer medium inside the coverwhen the elastic band is closed and the cover is in a first position,the cover being movable when the end of the cover is open between thefirst position where the cover protects the transfer medium and a secondposition where the cover protects the handle.
 2. The apparatus of claim1 wherein the transfer medium includes bristles.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the cover is formed of a nonwoven laminate.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover is attached to the device betweenthe handle and the transfer medium.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe cover is secured to the device with an adhesive.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the cover extends past the handle when the cover is inthe second position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cover istransparent to observe the condition of the transfer medium when thecover is in the first position.
 8. An apparatus for applying a liquidcoating onto an object, the apparatus comprising: a device that includesa handle and a transfer medium attached to the handle; and a coverattached to the device, the cover including a closure element that isoperable to open and close an end of the cover, the cover being movablewhen the end of the cover is open between a first position where thecover protects the transfer medium and a second position where the coverprotects the handle, wherein the closure element clamps the arm of anindividual that is using the apparatus when the cover is in the secondposition.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the transfer mediumincludes bristles.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the closureelement includes a zipper lock.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein thecover seals the transfer medium inside the cover when the closureelement is closed and the cover is in the first position.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 8 wherein the cover is attached to the device betweenthe handle and the transfer medium.
 13. The apparatus of claim 8 whereinthe cover extends past the handle when the cover is in the secondposition.
 14. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the cover is transparentto observe the condition of the transfer medium when the cover is in thefirst position.
 15. An apparatus for applying a liquid coating onto anobject, the apparatus comprising: a device that includes a handle and atransfer medium attached to the handle; and a cover attached to thedevice, the cover including an elastic band that is operable to open andclose an end of the cover, the cover sealing the transfer medium insidethe cover when the elastic band is closed and the cover is in a firstposition, the cover being movable when the end of the cover is openbetween the first position where the cover protects the transfer mediumand a second position where the cover protects the handle, wherein theelastic band clamps the arm of an individual that is using the apparatuswhen the cover is in the second position.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15wherein the transfer medium includes bristles.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 15 wherein the cover is transparent to observe the condition ofthe transfer medium when the cover is in the first position.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 15 wherein the cover is attached to the devicebetween the handle and the transfer medium.
 19. The apparatus of claim15 wherein the cover extends past the handle when the cover is in thesecond position.
 20. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the cover isformed of a nonwoven laminate.